Main Review
With all the white noise that seems to be coming out of studios and media recently, More Than Noise by
Pocket Full of Rocks really does live up to its name. This album is not static, it is not white noise, nor just
another worship CD. It is a compilation of reverence that reflects the heart and soul of this band, and
nothing done for the glory of the Lord with clean hands and pure hearts will simply just blend in. It will
make a noise that will be noticed.
Considering themselves more of a ministry than a band, Pocket Full of Rocks has been touring across
the country for 14 years. “A lot of what I’ve been sharing out on the road deals with losing your religion
and finding relationship with an amazing God,” said lead singer Michael Farren in a press release. “Much
of our message is that you’ve got to make more than noise. It’s easy to just walk into a room, sing the
songs on the screen and lift your hands; but if you can walk out and not be transformed or see the world
around you transformed, then that wasn’t worship. Real worship comes with change, both in you, and the
world around you. If you encounter a real God in a real setting of worship, you can’t leave the same.”
“Alive” opens up the album with a catchy rock track that you may have already heard on the radio. It’s
about letting the rest of the world know that you have a love inside you that has made you alive, and it’s a
love that everyone can have; we just can’t keep it to ourselves. This is an awesome song, because not
only does this reflect how we need to be living as Christians, but the reason for becoming a Christian
band in the first place should be to share the love of God in a loud way with the rest of the world.
“Strong” acknowledges the truth that we are only human and weak. We face pain and uncertainty, and
sometimes flat out feel like failures. But it is in our weakness that Christ can best prove His strength, if
we just step aside and let Him. Hold on to Christ; He will fight our battles and give us strength when we
have nothing left to give.
“Jesus Died My Soul to Save” is my personal favorite on this album. “I stand amazed at your love for me /
that lonely night in Gethsemane. / The sinners heart can’t help but thrill to hear you pray / God not my will.
/ What depth of love! / What reach of Grace…/ to sing yet louder the refrain / Jesus died, my soul to Save.”
The music starts out calm and simple, with just a guitar to accompany the words, then slowly builds to a
powerful chorus. It ends with a quiet line from the sweet old hymn, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” As
the song slips away, the excited chords of “Let our God be Praised” comes up right on its heals to make
sure the listener is still awake and ready to keep worshiping the Lord.
“Let it Rain,” originally recorded by musical artist Michael W. Smith, is brought to life again and finally
added to “More than Noise,” after the band having sung in live in concerts for 10 years. Evoking word
pictures of refreshing rain and a deep calm pouring over the soul, this song is a beautiful and very fitting
addition to this band’s third release. The musicality on this song is brilliant. The soft yet uplifting
instrumentals add to the feel of serenity being expressed through the words.
Madison Farren, Michael’s 14-year-old daughter, co-wrote “When Love Whispers Your Name” with her
father, making this song very meaningful, as it comes directly from the perspective of a teenager. “Our
base theme is that God loves you a whole lot, and religion has made you blind to it. So what does God’s
love actually look like? We wanted to write a song about grace, and what Love does through it. Both
verses of the song are based on situations we are aware of.” Michael Farren stated in a press release.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, an excellent album. Listening to this, and allowing your heart to worship God through the music
will be a source of encouragement in your day. He is our strength and support, our wings. We are so
blessed to be the children of God. This album reminds me that worship it not a duty nor obligation, but a
blessing.
Review Written By: Liz Haveman [liz.haveman@christianmusicreview.org] on 3/1/2010
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